Georgios Samaras: Celtic must build on momentum

Georgios Samaras has called on Celtic to extend their 10-match winning run to
enhance their Clydesdale Bank Premier League title claims.

Georgios Samaras: "We can't sit back and get complacent, we've done the hard part of closing the gap, but keeping up our form will be even harder"Photo: PA

By Telegraph staff and agencies

5:18PM GMT 04 Jan 2012

Celtic defeated title rivals Rangers in the Old Firm derby last week and on Monday won 3-0 at Dunfermline to take a two-point lead at the top of the SPL table.

Neil Lennon’s men, who on Sunday take a break from league duty when they play at Irn-Bru Third Division Peterhead in the William Hill Scottish Cup, trailed Rangers by 15 points earlier this campaign and forward Samaras has told his team-mates to continue their fine form.

He said: “So many people were saying the league was over - they thought 15 points was too big a gap to pull back.

“But we put in some great performances, won some important games and have now won 10 in a row.

“The important thing now is to build on this. We can’t sit back and get complacent, we’ve done the hard part of closing the gap, but keeping up our form will be even harder.

“We have to win all of our games and January will be a very important month for us.”

The 1-0 defeat of Rangers at Parkhead last week provided an added fillip for the Bhoys.

Samaras added: “It was a massive confidence boost beating Rangers, more so than any other club in the league. Everyone in the dressing room felt good about it. We all felt good about ourselves and each other and it was a massive lift for everyone.”

Celtic last dropped points in the SPL in October against Hibernian.

Samaras added: “I couldn’t pick out one game that turned things around for us but if you look back to the game we drew 0-0 with Hibs, we were all very low after that.

“But only a few days later we played in Europe and beat Rennes at home. Then we went away to Motherwell and that was a massive game for us because they were challenging our position in the table.

“We beat them, and that gave us a lot of confidence. And a few weeks later we beat St Mirren 5-0 at home - that was a really good afternoon. We had just started a run at that time and that pushed us on and helped us a lot.

“There were a few big results for us around that time, and even though I didn’t play against Kilmarnock, coming back from 3-0 to get a point (on October 15) helped the guys who played. Their confidence grew.

“We don’t want to be in that position again, though, and hopefully now we will continue this form and not look back.”

Meanwhile, Emilio Izaguirre, Kelvin Wilson and Paddy McCourt all played the full 90 minutes as a Celtic XI were beaten 3-1 by Kilmarnock at the SPL leaders’ Lennoxtown training base.

Izaguirre was continuing his recovery from a broken leg, having made his first appearance since August against Dunfermline on Monday.

Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic admits he is flattered by speculation linking him to Liverpool and finds the idea of an Anfield move appealing.

“Of course it is nice to see your name being linked with that kind of club,” he told Slobodna Dalmacija. “But I don’t know if the rumour is true.

“Liverpool is a big club and anybody would like to play at Anfield but I’m just trying to stay focused on my game.

“I love it in Glasgow. I’m contracted here for another two-and-a-half years.

“But, if the club were to sell me to get the money they need, then that would suit me too.”

Doncaster Rovers have signed Rangers striker Sam McMahon on a free transfer.

The 17 year-old has signed a short-term deal, subject to international clearance, which could be extended if he impresses this season.

Motherwell have confirmed the signing of Estonian forward Henrik Ojamaa.

The 20 year-old had two trial spells at Fir Park after leaving Finnish side Rovaniemen Palloseura (RoPS) and impressed manager Stuart McCall sufficiently to earn a deal until the end of the season.

Francisco Sandaza looks likely to turn down the offer of a new contract with St Johnstone as interest from other clubs in Scotland and abroad grows.